Many in the local gay and lesbian community agreed the Supreme Court invalidating the Defense of Marriage Act in June and letting stand a ruling overturning California's Proposition 8, clearing the way for same-sex marriages to resume in that state represented a good start.

But several said there’s more to be done.

“It’s important because everyone should be treated equally,” said William Cartwright, of Bethlehem, who also is active with the Bethlehem-based Haven Youth Group. “Gay or lesbian -- you’re no different than anyone else.”

More than 115 vendors and nonprofit groups were on hand including the PA Diversity Network, Human Rights Campaign, Lehigh Valley Humanists, Lehigh Valley Transgender Association and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Sarah Vitti, representing the Human Rights Campaign, said her organization was trying to build its membership in an effort to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, federal legislation that would prohibit discrimination in hiring and employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“The support we get from folks today will help us to build our grass-roots movement and ultimately, help pass legislation to end workplace discrimination,” Vitti said.

Harrisburg City Councilman Brad Koplinski, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, proclaimed if elected, he would work to pass anti-discriminatory and anti-bullying legislation in Pennsylvania. He said the last anti-discriminatory law on the books was in 1983.

“We need to keep pushing,” he said. “We have a long way to go. Obviously, we have more to do.”

The festival also included food, a wine bar, games, raffles, children's activities and live entertainment by musicians Josh Zuckerman, of New Jersey, and Reina Williams, of New York, as well as the Philadelphia Freedom Marching Band.

Its headliner was Coco Montrese, a contestant in the reality show "RuPaul's Drag Race."

Shawn Bausher, president of Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley, said when the festival began in 1993, it was a small community gathering focusing on the fight for equality. It has since grown into a dynamic arts and culture celebration, gathering an annual turnout of up to 4,000 guests.

While the rain put a damper on the turnout, Bausher said the goal was to gather a couple thousand people by the end of the day. In the future, there are plans to expand and possibly attract larger talent if funding is available, he said.

“We’ve come a long way,” Bausher said about the group’s mission. “We have created a safe place for people to come and gather with family and friends.”